Supplemental food program looks for new home

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By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Dec. 5, 2012 at 9:30 AM

By Andy Barrand

Posted Dec. 5, 2012 at 9:30 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net

HILLSDALE — Calhoun County Community Action is once again looking for a place to house its monthly Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Hillsdale County residents. For the past several months the organization has been operating out of The El Bethel Church, but had to change location for this month's food distribution. December’s food distribution will be Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Hillsdale County Senior Center at Perennial Park, 320 West Bacon Road. Amanda Schmidt, director of Community Action Calhoun County said they have had little success finding a place that meets their needs. The program has moved locations three times in the last year and a half. She said that churches are usually the organization's best bet and that locations must have accessible inside space. “Gymnasiums are ideal,” she said. Locations must have double doors that pallets of food boxes will fit through. “Our concern going into winter is we don’t want seniors standing outside in the cold any longer than they have to,” she said. Around 300 seniors take part in the program on a monthly basis. The food distribution is the first Thursday of each month. Seniors receive about $50 of food. Schmidt said the program is just a supplemental food program and isn’t meant to meet the monthly food needs of seniors. She said the Community Action of Calhoun County picked up the program for the county because of the need several years ago. “Community Action of Hillsdale County has been really supportive; we work in conjunction with each other,” she said. “They have been working with us to help us find a new location.” The program would only need use of the site for one day a month from around 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the program or interested in hosting the distribution of food contact Community Action of Calhoun County at (877) 422-2726.